Slip resistant ski boot protection apparatus

ABSTRACT

A flexible, rollable sole having a thin elastic or rubber cord attached thereto in parallel to and at a distance from the sole edge, the elastic cord fits around the ski boot at the junction of the sole and upper, the elastic cord extends around the boot at the level of the sole. The attachment may comprise a plurality of extensions of the plastic or rubber cord. In embodiments pair of soles sufficient to completely cover the toe and heel of the boot have a short gap therebetween. In embodiments a thin elastic hand holds a fabric upper body in place. Large loops or tabs allow a user to easily manipulated the device wearing ski gloves, a band, fastener or hook may be used to hold the device to its companion device or in the rolled up position or around the boot shaft while the user is skiing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention claims the priority and benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/626,355 filed Nov. 9, 2004 in the name of thesame inventor, Frederick Robert May, and entitled “SLIP RESISTANT SKIBOOT PROTECTION SYSTEM” via U.S. application Ser. No. 11/270,419, filedNovember 2005 and also entitled “SLIP RESISTANT SKI BOOT PROTECTIONAPPARATUS”, and co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/214,261, filedAug. 17, 2008, and further entitled “IMPROVED SLIP RESISTANT SKI BOOTPROTECTION APPARATUS” for all of which the entire applications includingdisclosures and references to other art in disclosure forms (thereferences, not the art) and references to other art cited by previousexaminers (the references, not the art itself) are incorporated hereinby reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to ski boots, and specifically to skiboot protectors and traction aids.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH

This invention was not made under contract with an agency of the USGovernment, nor by any agency of the US Government.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ski boots are specialized boots which serve several functions. They areintended to retain the warmth of the user's foot in cold conditions.Famously, they move the site of any broken leg up the shin bone and awayfrom the ankle, thus providing an easier medical fix in the event of abroken leg.

On a more mundane level, ski boots are designed, dimensioned andconfigured to physically cooperate with a ski binding so as to lock theboot and the ski together firmly, thus allowing the user to control theski with confidence and precision. The fittings, projections andindentations on the ski boot sole exactly match (in a complementarymatch) the fittings, projections and apertures on the ski binding,indeed, the size and shape of the planform or outline of the boot soleis crucial to this physical engagement to the ski binding. The planformof a ski boot sole is a squared off rectangle very different frompractically any other type of footwear. The sole has a specific shapeand size in addition to having various devices thereon, and the primarypurpose of these devices and the shape of the sole is simply to providea secure and strong engagement to the ski. As a result, a ski boot inoutline and planform resembles no other footwear. The sole may projectat front and/or back, the sole may be a considerably narrower shape thanthe uppers of the boot above it and so on.

Walking on ski boots is initially disconcerting, but most users pick upthe trick quickly. After that, a pair of new problems with walking onski boots quickly emerges. The first is lack of traction. The ski bootis not shaped for walking with good traction, rather it is shaped to fitto a ski binding. Unlike most footwear, it is even possible to losetraction and have a foot slip sideways. Front and back slips occurfrequently too, especially considering that most ski boot walking occurson the icy surface between the parking lot and popular ski runs or onthe tile floors many “bottom of the ski run” businesses provide fortheir customers. This problem tends to yield to practice on the part ofthe user, which only exacerbates the other problem: damage and wear onthe ski boot soles.

The devices on the ski boot sole are not intended for walking, they areprecisely designed for physical engagement to ski bindings. The devices(generally “projections, indentations and fittings” in this application)are easily damaged or worn by being used as traction devices or treadsby walking users. Even short walks can damage the devices enough tocause problems or even safety issues, since the fit of sole to bindingis very precise in some regards. Most ski boot soles are quite strongmaterials which the maker may hope will minimize such issues.

One known solution to the traction issue is the family of hard plasticsnap on devices which have numerous cleats on one side and on the otherside fit either the toe or heel of the ski boot. This solves tractionproblems and even provides a degree of protection at ski boottoes/heels. —However, the mid-section of the sole remains largelyexposed to the hazards of ice, rocks, debris, door sills and the like.

A problem with such rigid devices is that they are also somewhatdifficult to handle and store when not in use, being essentially squaresof hard plastic with cleats on them. A worse problem is that in use,such devices can be fiendishly difficult to put on and take off. Thenon-elastic plastic construction means that the user has to struggle toget the device in place. The shape and configuration of such devicesfurther ensures that it is very difficult to tell front from back whilebundled up and wearing ski goggles.

Two other problems occur with the hard plastic snap on devices. Thefirst such problem is that the devices tend to stretch over time. As aresult of stretching, they eventually begin to fall off. While walking,the normal skier simply has very little ability to see such devices atall, as they attach to the bottom of the ski boots. In addition, thetypical walker in ski boots concentrates on skis, poles, packs, lifttickets and similar encumbrances. Thus, the absence of the tractiondevice may go un-noticed. The second problem with such devices is thatmakers tend to compensate for the stretching problem by making thetolerances of the devices as tight as possible, thus making the deviceseven harder to get on or even off. A fully encumbered skier must thenfight with a device securely attached to the bottom of the ski boot whennew, or stretched and absent when old.

In the unrelated field of more mundane footwear, a different problem hasled to a different structure for solution. Dress shoes may be equippedwith a rubber “partial galoshes” which comprise a unitary rubber treadand minimal upper of one or two inches tall (2.5-5 cm tall). Being asingle unit of rubber makes such devices water proof, allowing wearersof dress shoes to chance muddy city streets with a bit less trepidation.Such devices cannot fit onto a ski boot, being dimensioned andconfigured to fit upon a normal dress shoe.

US Design Patent No. 394740, to Poust on Jun. 2, 1998, and US DesignPatent No. 377710 dated Feb. 4, 1997, teach an overshoe type devicehaving numerous holes therethrough. They do not appear to teachstructures relating to ski boots.

US Design Patent No. 340123, dated Oct. 12, 1993 to Howey, Jr., teachesa hard device of ribs with hinged clips to secure it to footgear.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,154,982, dated Dec. 5, 2000 and in the name of Bell etal, teaches another device of numerous holes through a rubber or plasticbody.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,044,578, granted Apr. 4, 2000 to Ketz teaches anon-elastic device having a heel portion, a toe portion and straps tohold it together and onto footwear.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,334, issued Sep. 14, 1999 to Gerhardt teaches a toetrap and a hook and loop strap across the ankle to hold it to footwear.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,945, Jun. 8, 1999 to Noy teaches a network of metalencrusted bands across the bottom of footwear, having no true sole.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,339, issued Mar. 17, 1998 to inventor Owen teaches adevice having a set of strap arrangements for use around the angle of aski boot.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,915, issued Sep. 2, 1997 in the name of Smithteaches a shoe, perhaps an athletic shoe, having a removable spikeplate.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,578, in the name of Voight and issued Feb. 23, 1993,shows a plate which is clamped on with a screw or other arrangement atthe toe.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,798, dated Sep. 1, 1992 and issued in the nameKaufman et al teaches a multi-part high upper assembly which hassignificant straps for support.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,910,883, dated Mar. 27, 1990 to Zock, Jr, teaches ametal frame with aggressive sets of spikes thereon.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,672, granted Jul. 4, 1989 to Fasse teaches anoversole and carrier combination which is stiff and quite bulky.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,504, granted Mar. 14, 1989 to Bunke, teaches anotherstiff plate, with fore and aft holding devices.

Two items which are not prior to the original patent application may befound at the websites www.skiskootys.com and www.yaktrax.com/skitrax,both showing later devices.

It would be preferable to provide a device capable in some embodimentsof protecting the entirety of a ski boot sole and providing asubstantial tread for increased traction, rather than a partialprotection or network of traction devices.

It would further be preferable to provide a device which a user withcold fingers encased in bulky ski gloves could easily put on, take offand store when not in use.

It would further be preferable to provide a device which is easy to usedue to a lack of complex or mechanical attachments to a boot.

It would further be preferable to provide a device which the user caneasily see on their boot when in use, and which is less susceptible tofalling off un-noticed.

It would be very much preferable to provide a device which could bequickly and easily manufactured at low cost.

It would be very much preferable to provide a device which could bequickly and easily manufactured by injection molding.

It would further be very much preferable to provide a device which couldbe stored by means of being rolled up, or secured around the ankle of aboot when NOT in use, put into a pocket without danger to the fabric ofthe pocket or the like.

It would yet further be preferable to provide a device with large easilyviewed indicia of front and back directions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

General Summary

A ski boot protector fits on the sole of a ski boot due to beingdimensioned and configured to wrap around the sole of the ski boot atthe toe and heel of the ski boot, even extending across a portion of thetop of the projecting sole. An elastic or rubber upper portion holds afabric, rubber, polymer or other material body front and back inventionsole portions in place, a flexible tread provides protection for the skiboot sole from the ground, snow or ice walked on while being flexibleenough to allow the device to roll up for easy storage in a pocket whennot being worn. Large loops, tabs or other projections are dimensionedand configured to allow a user to easily manipulated the device wearingski gloves, a hook or a hook-and-loop fabric band may be used to holdthe device to its companion device or to hold it in the rolled upposition.

A hook or an arrow and barb shaped device or hook-and-loop fabric bandmay also be used to store the device around the boot shaft while theuser is skiing and thus not using the device.

The device may in alternative embodiments also have a flexible, rollablesole having a thin elastic or rubber cord attached thereto in parallelto the edge of the sole but attached at a distance from the sole, sothat the elastic cord may fit around the ski boot at the junction of thesole and upper, the elastic cord of a size sufficient to extend aroundthe boot at the level of the sole but small enough to exert a physicalengagement to that it may not easily slip back over the sole. Theattachment may comprise a plurality of extensions of the plastic orrubber cord. An elastic cord for purposes of this application is onethat is a combination of rubber cord and fabric or is simply a fabricwhich itself is stretchable like rubber, and significantly, allows auser to quickly determine front and back ends of the device even undersnowy conditions.

In the presently preferred embodiment and best mode now contemplated,the device may also have a pair of soles sufficient to completely orpartially cover the ground contacting portions of a ski boot sole (toeand heel), and with a rising upper at the toe and heel to surround thevertical thickness of the ski boot toe and heel and short lip around thetop ends to project onto the top portion of the boot sole, with a shortgap between the heel sole and toe sole, so as to further increaseflexibility and allow even easier rolling and storage.

Embodiments of the device may be made by injection molding, compressionmolding or the like.

Summary in Reference to Claims

It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment ofthe invention, in addition to those discussed previously, to provide aski boot traction aid for ski boots having large soles dimensioned andconfigured to accept a ski binding and thus having substantialprojections of the sole beyond the upper at the front end and rear endof the boot, the traction aid comprising:

-   -   a stretchable body dimensioned and configured to exceed the size        of such ski boot sole at front and rear ends of the boot;    -   the body having front and rear soles, the soles connected by at        least three stretchable bands attached to both front and rear        soles;    -   a front lip of the body at a top end of a front projection of        the front sole, the front lip disposed at the top of such        projection at the front end of the boot when the device is in        use on the boot, the elastic strong enough to hold the        stretchable body securely to such ski boot sole;    -   a rear lip of the body at a top end of a rear projection of the        rear sole, the rear lip disposed at the top of such projection        at the rear end of the boot when the device is in use on the        boot, the elastic strong enough to hold the stretchable body        securely to such ski boot sole;    -   a large loop attached to the traction aid at one end, the loop        large enough to allow easy manipulation by an individual wearing        bulky ski gloves;    -   a tread attached to at least one side of the soles, the tread        being a material flexible enough to roll up when not in use.

It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment ofthe invention, in addition to those discussed previously, to provide aski boot traction aid for ski boots having large soles dimensioned andconfigured to accept a ski binding and thus having substantialprojections of the sole beyond the upper at the front end and rear endof the boot, the traction aid comprising:

-   -   a stretchable body dimensioned and configured to exceed the size        of such ski boot sole at least one end of the boot;    -   a stretchable upper portion of the body, the elastic strong        enough to hold the stretchable body securely to such ski boot        sole when the elastic is placed around such sole at the junction        of such upper and such sole;    -   a large loop attached to the traction aid, the loop large enough        to allow easy manipulation by an individual wearing bulky ski        gloves;    -   a tread attached to one side of the stretchable body, the tread        being a material flexible enough to roll up when not in use.

It is therefore a second aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment ofthe invention to provide a ski boot traction aid for ski boots havinglarge soles dimensioned and configured to accept a ski binding andhaving substantial projections of the sole beyond the upper at the frontand rear of the boot, the soles having a thickness and a circumference,the traction aid comprising:

-   -   a first tread made of a material flexible enough to roll up, the        first tread having a lower surface, an upper surface and an        edge;    -   a second tread made of a material flexible enough to roll up,        the second tread having a lower surface, an upper surface and an        edge;    -   a plurality of attachments each having a first end secured to        the first tread and each having a second end secured to the        second tread;    -   a first stretchable body attached securely to the first tread,    -   a second stretchable body attached securely to the first tread,    -   the first and second stretchable bodies each having a stretched        length, the stretched lengths at least approximately equal to        such thickness of such ski boot sole.

It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment ofthe invention to provide a ski boot traction aid wherein the first treadfurther comprises:

-   -   a bottom surface having traction increasing apparatus thereon.

It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment ofthe invention to provide a ski boot traction aid wherein the front andrear soles further comprises: a plurality of irregularities on bottomsurfaces to increase traction.

It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment ofthe invention to provide a ski boot traction aid further comprising:

-   -   a large fastener portion of the large loop, the fastener portion        having a thicker head and a thinner body; and    -   a small loop disposed on the end of the aid distal the large        loop, the thicker head of the large loop, when passed through        the small loop, holding the device in a rolled up configuration.

It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment ofthe invention to provide a ski boot traction aid further comprising:

-   -   a large loop attached to the traction aid at a first location,        the loop large enough to allow easy manipulation by an        individual wearing bulky ski gloves.

It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment ofthe invention to provide a ski boot traction aid the large fastenerfurther comprising:

-   -   an extension of the large projection having an end, the        extension having a tip portion at the end, the extension having        an angled body formed by two angled sides running from the tip        to two barbs, the barbs extending from opposite sides of the        angled body, the width of the barbs being greater than the width        of the large projection, each barb also having a rear side where        the barb width returns to the width of the large projection.

It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment ofthe invention to provide a ski boot traction aid further comprising:

-   -   a fastener attached to the traction aid at one member selected        from the group consisting of: at the loop attached to the        traction aid at the first location, at a second location distal        the first location;    -   the fastener dimensioned and configured to engage a distal        location of the traction aid when the traction aid is rolled up.

It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment ofthe invention to provide a ski boot traction aid wherein the stretchablebodies further comprise:

-   -   elastic.

It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment ofthe invention to provide a ski boot traction aid wherein the stretchablebodies further comprise:

-   -   rubber.    -   It is therefore yet another aspect, advantage, objective and        embodiment of the invention to provide a ski boot traction aid        for ski boots having large soles dimensioned and configured to        accept a ski binding and thus having substantial projections of        the sole beyond the upper at the front and rear of the boot, the        soles having a thickness and a circumference, the traction aid        comprising:    -   a first tread having a lower surface, an upper surface and an        edge; and    -   a network of stretchable material securely attached to the first        tread at a middle portion of the network, the network having a        stretchable perimeter extending beyond the first tread by a        distance at least approximately equal to such thickness of such        ski boot soles, the perimeter having a stretched circumference        at least approximately equal to such circumference of such ski        boot sole.

It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment ofthe invention to provide a ski boot traction aid further comprising:

-   -   a second tread having a lower surface, an upper surface and an        edge; the second tread securely attached to the network at a        middle portion of the network.

It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment ofthe invention to provide a ski boot traction aid further comprising:

-   -   a large loop attached to the traction aid at a first location,        the loop large enough to allow easy manipulation by an        individual wearing bulky ski gloves.

It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment ofthe invention to provide a ski boot traction aid further comprising:

-   -   a fastener attached to the traction aid at a second location        distal the first location, the faster dimensioned and configured        to engage such large loop when the traction aid is rolled up.

It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment ofthe invention to provide a ski boot traction aid wherein the networkfurther comprises:

-   -   rubber.

It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment ofthe invention to provide a ski boot traction aid wherein the networkfurther comprises:

-   -   elastic.

It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment ofthe invention to provide a ski boot traction aid wherein the lowersurface further comprises:

-   -   a plurality of crescent shaped elevations.

It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment ofthe invention to provide a ski boot traction aid wherein the network,first tread and second tread wherein the entire aid and all portionsfurther comprise:

-   -   a single unibody.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a ski boot having a first embodiment of theinvention thereon in the use position.

FIG. 2 is a left side view of a ski boot having the first embodiment ofthe invention thereon in the storage position.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of a ski boot having the first embodiment ofthe invention thereon in the storage position.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the invention's first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an elevational side view of a second embodiment of theinvention having no fabric upper body.

FIG. 8 is an elevational side view of a third embodiment of theinvention having a split sole for easier handling.

FIG. 9 is a declivational side view of a sole of an alternativeembodiment of the invention showing.

FIG. 10 is a planform top view of a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a fifth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a sixth embodiment of the invention havingdivided fabric uppers and divided soles.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of a seventh embodiment of the invention havinghalf moon shaped traction bumps.

FIG. 14 is a top view of an eighth embodiment of the invention having asingle unibody construction.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a ski boot having another embodiment of theinvention thereon in the use position. Note that item number 110 is anarrow shaped extension of material, not a reference arrow.

FIG. 16 is a left side view of a ski boot having the arrow embodiment ofthe invention thereon in the storage position.

FIG. 17 is a right side view of a ski boot having this embodiment of theinvention thereon in the storage position.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional side view of this embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of this embodiment of the invention havingfraction bumps on the bottom of the soles. In FIG. 5, the loops, tabs orother projections are omitted for clarity.

FIG. 20 is a top view of this embodiment of the invention having gripson the otherwise flat top of the soles. In FIG. 6, the loops are omittedfor clarity.

INDEX TO REFERENCE NUMERALS Elastic upper portion of upper   1 Loopstyle projection   2 Fabric/rubber body   3 Invention sole   4 Strap   5Ski boot   6 Traction aid  100 Sole  102 Heel end  102a Toe end  102bFlexible, extensible cord  104 Flexible, extensible attachment  106Traction aid/ski boot protector  200 Heel sole  202a Toe sole  202b Cord 204 Attachment  206 Gap  210 Traction aid/ski boot protector  300 Heelsole  302a Toe sole  302b Anchor  304 Network/anchor extension on sole 360 Network/anchor extension to sole  362 Tab  364 Loop  366 Heel sole 402a Anchor  404 Sole traction devices  434 Network/anchor extension tosole  462 Loop  466 Fastener  468 Hook  470 Traction aid/boot protector 500 Toe sole  502a Heel sole  502b Gap  510 Toe upper (fabric orrubber)  580a Heel upper (fabric or rubber)  580b Stretchable, flexibleconnector  582a, 582b Upper gap  584 Toe end hand loop  566a Heel endhand loop  566b Sole  902 Bottom surface  930 Bump/irregularity  934Sole half 1302 Gap 1304 Stretchable, flexible connector 1306 Half moontraction bump 1308 Traction aid/boot protector 1400 Hooked fastener 1468Unibody loop 1498 Upper surface of rear projection 1586 Upper surface offront projection 1588 Boot 1590 Upper part of boot 1592 Sole part ofboot 1594 Front sole projection 1596 Rear sole projection 1598 Frontsole 1602 Vertical projection/sidewall 1603 Rear sole 1604 Bootseat/grip 1605 Traction enhancement 1606 Large loop 1608 Arrow shapedfastener 1610 - not a direction of motion, nor a reference arrow Barbsof arrow shaped fastener 1610a Stem of arrow shaped fastener 1610bFirst, second and third bands 1612, 1614, 1616 Small loop 1618 Front lip1630 Rear lip 1632

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 6 depict the first embodiment of the invention, having asingle flexible sole, short fabric uppers and an elastic (and/or rubber)rim or upper portion which holds the protruding edges of a ski boot soleand thus keeps the device in place during use.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a ski boot having the first embodiment of theinvention thereon in the use position. The body 3 of the devicecomprises an upper having an elastic upper portion 1. Elastic upperportion 1 (the edge or periphery of the device) is/has in the preferredembodiment and best mode now contemplated an elastic band or strap orextension of the body which is attached to the upper portion of the bodyand secured thereto along a portion of or the complete length of theperiphery/rim. This may be a strap extending from body 3 or may be anextension of body 3 itself rather in the form of a shoe “upper”. Body 3may itself have a degree of elasticity, however in the embodiment shown,a tough fabric such as CORDORA brand fabric, RIP-STOP brand fabric orthe like is used. Other fabrics, natural or artificial, may be used.Elastics used may be rubber cored fabrics, elastic fabrics, completelyrubber, rubber/fabric combinations and so on, all of which fall withinthe definition of the term elastic as used herein. In preferredembodiments, the device may be manufactured as a unibody by means ofinjection molding, other molding, extrusion or the like.

Loop projection 2 is securely attached to the device either at upperportion 1 or body 2 or sole 4. Loop 2 is dimensioned and configured toallow easy manipulation by a user wearing bulky ski gloves. Inparticular, loop 2 is large enough to allow easy gripping. Loop 2 may inalternative embodiments be a tab, a projection of other types, thinrope, twine, may also be elasticized (for example as an elastic cord orrubber cord), a fabric strap or combinations thereof. Loop 2 servesadditional functions as discussed below in relation to FIGS. 2 and 3.

Sole 4 is in the preferred embodiment a rubber or rubber relatedcompound thick enough to both provide substantial shock absorption tothe ski boot sole it protects and also thick enough to take asubstantial tread for improved traction by the wearer. Sole 4 in thepreferred embodiment covers a substantial portion of the surface of body3 (corresponding to over 80% of the surface area of the bottom of theski boot), but in alternative embodiments it may be smaller (thusreducing weight and size and making storage easier when not in use) orit may be larger (extending to the portions of the body 3 whichcorrespond to the “uppers” of the device), thus providing protection tothe sides of the ski boot sole as well as the bottom.

FIG. 2 is a left side view of a ski boot having the invention thereon inthe storage position. FIG. 3 is a right side view of a ski boot havingthe invention thereon in the storage position.

The nature of a ski boot sole may be seen in these diagrams, which showthat the sole is quite thick, far thicker than the soles of ordinaryfootwear, and the ski boot sole may well extend (as shown in FIGS. 2 and3) beyond the front or back of the ski boot. The sole may extend beyondthe sides of the boot as well, but it frequently is much narrower thanthe boot, forcing the user to walk on a long and narrow surface.

Ski boot 6 has an ankle portion extending upwards from the “foot” or“uppers”. This ankle portion may be used to store the device of thepresent invention. In particular, the device has strap 5 attachedsecurely to body 3, upper portion 1 or sole 4. Strap 5 may have thereona hook-and-loop style of fabric such as VELCRO™ brand hook-and-loopfabric, so that strap 5 may attach to a patch of the complementary (loopor hook) type fabric also securely attached to strap 5 itself, or inalternative embodiments to body 3, upper portion 1 or sole 4, or inaddition on projection/loop 2. In use, loop 2 and strap 5 are engaged bypassing one through the other. Strap 5 is then attached to the patch ofcomplementary fabric also located on strap 5 and the device is securelyattached around ski boot 6. In the preferred embodiment, bothcomplementary pieces are on strap 5.

In addition to or in place of hook-and-loop fabric, buttons, snaps,zips, magnets and other fasteners may be used in alternativeembodiments.

The size of the device may be chosen as follows: the dimensions andconfiguration of the device may not only cover a ski boot sole orimportant portions thereof which require protection in use, but inaddition the device may be dimensioned and configured to pass around theboot ankle in storage, and to be secured thereon without excess slack.Elastic rim/upper portion 2 may be an aid in this: the length of thebody, projection, and strap may be just slightly less than thecircumference of a ski boot ankle when the elastic upper portion is inthe relaxed first position, but sufficient to go around when the elasticupper portion is in a stretched second position. The elastic/rubber rim,of course, may have a stretched third position achieved when stretchedaround the boot sole in use position.

It will be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3 that the device may roll up aroundthe ski boot ankle with the sole actually on the “inside” of the device,invisible to casual inspection. This may prevent snow from accumulatingon the treads of the sole during skiing in the storage position. Thedevice may also roll around the ski boot ankle with the sole actually onthe “outside” of the device.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the invention. Partial tread is shown on thebottom of the sole 4. The treads may be in alternative embodiments anycommon tread design: sipes, valleys, grooves, cleats, bumps, patternsand so on.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the invention while FIG. 6 is a front view ofthe invention. In the best mode now contemplated and preferredembodiment, strap 5 is secured to the front end of body 3 at a locationon the “inside” (that side not having the sole thereon) and near to edge1. However, in other embodiments, strap 5 may be secured nearer to orfarther from edge 1, nearer to or farther from the front or toe end ofthe device, may be secured at the upper portion or the sole, or it maybe secured to the “outside” (that side having the sole), etc. Also inthis embodiment, tab/loop 2 is attached at the rear or heel end of thedevice, the placement being subject to the same variables at discussedin previously in this same paragraph. In yet further alternativeembodiments, strap 5 may by itself (without a loop) be sufficient inlength, etc, to secure the device in the rolled position by itself Inyet other alternative embodiments, projection 2 may by itself secure thedevice without a strap. In yet other alternative embodiments, projectionand strap may be close together. In yet other alternative embodiments,loop and/or strap may be eliminated or altered in length to allow thedevice to easily roll up and be placed in a pocket rather than rolled uparound the boot ankle or other item of ski equipment, the arms or legsof the user and so on.

When the device is in use, the skier can easily see the elastic/rubberbrim running along the edge of the boot above or along the actual soleof the boot. In addition, donning and removing the device is quite easy,even encumbered: the skier may insert either end in the foot or heel, asappropriate, of the boot and then stretch the rest over the other end ofthe boot. In embodiments, the device may be “double ended” with a lessspecific “foot shape” to the tread, so that either end may go onto thetoe or heel of the boot.

Secure attachments of the parts to each other may be achieved usingsewing/stitching, adhesives, bonding, vulcanizing, riveting, andcombinations thereof. One embodiment presently preferred (see FIG. 14)has a unibody construction made by molding, injection molding, extrusionor the like.

FIG. 7 is an elevational side view of a second embodiment of theinvention. Traction aid 100 has sole 102 on the bottom. The sole 102 isthe ground contacting portion of the device which provides greatertraction than the sole of the ski boot (ski boot soles being dimensionedand configured to physically engage to ski bindings and thus unsuitablefor walking or traction). In addition, sole 102 protects the expensiveski boots from damage due to gravel, hard floors, steps, rocks, and soon. This is a safety issue as a damaged ski boot might NOT properlyphysically engage to ski bindings.

Heel end 102 a and toe end 102 b of the sole 102 may be dimensioned andconfigured differently: heel end 102 a may be dimensioned and configuredto cover and protect a ski boot heel, while toe end 102 b may bedimensioned and configured to cover and protect a ski boot toe.

Flexible, extensible cord 104 has a relaxed state and a stretched state.The overall length (or circumference) of cord 104 may be at leastapproximately equal to the circumference of a ski boot sole. Forexample, the relaxed state of the cord may have length less than thecircumference of the ski boot sole, so as to not be able to pass overthe sole when relaxed, but the stretched state may be slightly greaterthan the circumference of the ski boot sole, so that when the user pullsthe cord, it may pass over the sole of the ski boot. Thereafter, whenreleased back to the relaxed state or a third “partially relaxed” state(held from complete relaxation by the boot), the extensible cord 104 maystay on the sole of the ski boot due to the physical engagement of thecord over the sole (at the junction of the upper/body of the ski bootand the sole).

Flexible, extensible attachment 106 may be the same material as thecord, and may be extension thereof, or it may be a different material,or in embodiments even not extensible. Attachment 106 (other attachmentsshown in FIG. 7 but not numbered) may be attached to the sole bystitching, riveting, adhesive, bonding, by means of being extendedthrough or under the sole to another attachment and so on. The“attachment length” of attachment 106 may be at least approximatelyequal to the thickness of the ski boot sole, “at least approximatelyequal to” being used to denote a length sufficient to pass the dimensionof the ski boot sole (thickness or circumference) which theattachment/cord must pass. Thus, a ski boot sole 1″ inch thick would notbe passed across by an attachment having a length of only ½″ in itsmaximally stretched state.

FIG. 8 is an elevational side view of a third embodiment of theinvention. Traction aid/ski boot protector 200 has heel sole 202 a andtoe sole 202 b indirectly connected by cord 204 and attachment 206, butphysically separated by gap 210. It will be seen the device becomesextremely easy to fold directly in half, even if the material of soles202 a, 202 b is not particularly flexible.

The device still functions as a ski boot sole protector, even without acomplete sole from front to back because the intermediate portion of theski boot sole is less prone to damage, tends to be higher off of theground than the ski boot toe and heel portions, and because thethickness of the fraction aid sole will separate the ski boot soleintermediate portion from the ground surface in the area of gap 210.

The ski boot sole intermediate portion does not normally engage a skibinding in any case, so if were to become damaged it would not impactsafety or the interface and physical connection to the ski.

FIG. 9 is a declivational side view of a sole of an alternativeembodiment of the invention. Sole 902 has a bottom surface 930 (topsurfaces depicted in other figures). Bottom surface 930 may havenumerous small bumps/irregularities 934 which combined with the typicalconstruction of the sole (rubber, polymers, plastics and the like)provide a relatively high coefficient of friction. While the pattern ofthe bumps 934 is pictured as essentially random, an organized treadpattern may be employed as well in embodiments.

Metal or hard traction aids such as studs, nails, spikes or the like maybe used in alternative embodiments. Note that alternative embodimentshaving no metal/hard aids such as studs, spikes, nails or the likeprojecting from the bottom of the sole are preferred over otheralternative embodiments having such sharp traction aids, but both suchtypes of embodiments fall within the scope of the invention. The reasonfor this is that such relatively sharp traction aids render the deviceless safe when carried in the interior pockets: it may rip the lining,or should a skier take a spill with the device in a pocket, the skiermay be injured by metal/hard traction aids poking through to the skin.Similarly, when the device is deployed around the ankle of a ski boot,hard projections like studs might present a threat to other skiers,especially in the event of a spill or wipeout. However, the alternativeembodiments may be preferable for increased traction on icier surfacesor packed snow surfaces.

FIG. 10 is a planform top view of a fourth embodiment of the invention.Traction aid/ski boot protector 300 has heel sole 302 a and toe sole 302b. Anchor 304 not only anchors the device to ski boot when stretchedabove the ski boot sole, it also anchors the network/anchor extension onsole 360, network/anchor extension to sole 362, to heel sole 302 a andtoe sole 302 b. Thus, the network of stretchable, flexible lines whichcomprise the anchor and network hold the device together. These may berubber, elastic, or other stretchable and flexible materials. The devicemay be manufactured by injection molding, assembly, sewing, or othermethods.

Tab 364 is an optional device which may aid in use of the device,however, loop 366 is dimensioned and configured to provide a much easiermethod of grasping and using the device, especially for pulling it on oroff while wearing ski gloves. Ski gloves tend to be very thick, up to ½″or more, so that a human finger of ½″ width in a ski glove (both sidesof the finger) may be 1.5″ across. A two fingered grip on a device, or athumb and finger grip, thus requires a substantial loop or projection tograb. Thus loop 366 may be at least one inch in length up to severalinches in length so as to be dimensioned and configured for use by auser wearing ski gloves.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a fifth embodiment of the invention. In thispresently preferred embodiment and best mode presently contemplated forcarrying out the invention, heel sole 402 a and the toe sole are bothattached to anchor/network 404 by network extension/anchor extension tosole 462 in a manner similar to the embodiment of FIG. 10. As in FIG.10, the network/anchor may be a single unibody of injection moldedrubber or elastic, or it may be built up of individual elements attachedto each other by means of vulcanization, sewing, riveting or the like.

Sole traction devices 434 may be as discussed previously: one or morehard projections like spikes or in other embodiments, a plurality ofprojections of the material of the sole or something similar withoutspikes.

Loop 466, as discussed previously, may be one inch or several incheslong so as to allow easy handling by a skier encumbered with proper handwear. Fastener 468 may allow adjustment of the length of the anchor, sothat the device may used on various sizes of ski boot soles, and mayalso have hook 470. Fastener 468 may be a device to tighten the overallsize of anchor/cord 404 by pulling excess cord through fastener 468 andthen preventing it from returning back through, thus tightening the cord404. Such fasteners include spring loaded devices with holes throughthem, grommets, knots, buttons and the like.

In the position of storage around an arm, ski boot ankle or the like,the device may be wrapped/folded about a limb, clothing or boot and thenhook 470 may be attached to loop 466, even by a user wearing thick skigloves.

Placement of the hook and how it engages the other end of the devicewhen not in use is susceptible to wide variations. The hook may bedisposed upon the front end of the device or on the rear of the deviceat the loop and engage to the sole 462. In embodiments preferred forsimplicity, the hook may be on the loop, on the elastic cords of thedevice, or in other similar locations at either toe or heel.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a sixth embodiment of the invention havingdivided rubber or fabric uppers and divided soles which may nonethelessbe a unibody construction of a single piece of rubber for all parts.Traction aid/boot protector 500 may have toe sole 502 a attached to toeupper 580 a by the extensions of the unibody or in alternativeembodiments by stitching or the like, as previously discussed. Toe upper580 a may be durable material or fabric or rubber as previouslydiscussed. Heel sole 502 b (across gap 510 from toe sole 502 a) may haveheel upper 580 b. Stretchable, flexible connectors 582 a, 582 b mayconnect the soles and uppers across the “body/upper gap” 584. Toe endhand loop 566 a and heel end hand loop 566 b may be as previouslydescribed in relation to other loops, and may be used to assist inwearing or removing the devices, may be used to aid in storage and soon. The embodiment may be injection molded, assembled, and may havemetal traction aids in the bottom surface of the soles or may have anirregular or bumpy bottom surface to aid traction.

This embodiment may have soles and uppers of a relatively less flexiblematerial due to gaps 510/584 allowing easier folding, however, inpreferred embodiments flexible materials are desired, a findingconfirmed by testing.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of a seventh embodiment of the invention havinghalf moon shaped traction bumps.

Sole half 1302 may have gap 1304 as previously described, withstretchable, flexible connector 1306 part of a web of connectors betweenthe halves.

Crescent shaped traction bump/elevation 1308 may be advantageous totraction. It may in embodiments have other orientations than shown.

FIG. 14 is a top view of an eighth embodiment of the invention having asingle unibody construction. Traction aid/boot protector 1400 has hookedfastener 1468 which may be attached to a loop or directly to the web ornetwork of cords used to hold the device to a ski boot. When not in use,the device may be rolled up around an ankle or arm so that hookedfastener 1468 reaches unibody loop 1498 and hooks thereto.

In this embodiment, the construction of the device may be a unibodyconstruction in which the soles and the web of materials are allinjection molded from a material such as a durable rubber, a somewhatelastic form of polymer or the like, a single body of fabric withelastic properties or the like. It is anticipated that unibodyconstruction in which all soles and elastic rims, webs and so on are alla single piece will reduce manufacturing costs, making this aspect apreferred embodiment for this purpose.

It will be understood that embodiments will have a body or network orcords all having a stretched length, the stretched length sufficient toallow it to pass over the vertical thickness of ski boot soles at leastat the heel and/or toe and in alternative embodiments all the way aroundthe ski boot sole.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a ski boot having an alternative embodiment ofthe invention thereon in the use position, while FIG. 18 is across-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention,and FIG. 19 is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of theinvention having fraction bumps.

Boot 1590 has upper part of boot 1592 and the sole part of the boot1594. The junction of the upper and sole is not uniform. Due to thenecessity for ski boots to fit into ski bindings, the sole projectsbeyond the upper at a number of places, particularly front soleprojection 96 and rear sole projection 1598. Each projection in turn hasan upper surface, upper surface of rear projection 1586 and uppersurface of front projection 1588.

These projections may be used to secure the device to the boot.

Front sole 1602 and rear sole 1604 may be seen to have not just tractionenhancements (treads, bumps, grooves, etc) 1606 but also verticalportions, particularly at the front and back ends. Front and backvertical projections/sidewalls 1603 (see FIG. 20) are depicted assidewalls which carry around three sides of the soles, but may surroundless of the circumference than that in embodiments. Boot seat/grip 1605is the substantially flat area on the upper side of the soles and withinthe vertical projections: the boot toe and heel will sit onto this flatarea. However, this area may have grips 1605 on it which allow the skiboot to get better fraction on the upper surface of the sole. (Grips1605 should not be confused with the traction enhancements 1606 whichare on the bottom of the two soles.)

First, second and third bands 1612, 1614, 1616 connect the two soles.Front lip 1630 and rear lip 1632, best seen in FIG. 18, actuallypartially enclose the insides of the ends of the soles. The reason forthis is shown in FIG. 15, with the device in the position of use. Thelips 1630 and 1632 will overlap the upper surfaces of the soleprojections, 86 and 88, and thus will hold the device very securely inplace. Note that this in turn allows the device to be made of a moreelastic material, which in turn makes it easier to get on and off thanprior art devices.

When the device is in use, the skier can easily see the elastic/rubberbrim running along the edge of the boot above or along the actual soleof the boot. In addition, donning and removing the device is quite easy,even encumbered: the skier may insert either end in the foot or heel, asappropriate, of the boot and then stretch the rest over the other end ofthe boot. In embodiments, the device may be “double ended” with a lessspecific “foot shape” to the tread, so that either end may go onto thetoe or heel of the boot.

Secure attachments of the parts to each other may be achieved usingsewing/stitching, adhesives, bonding, vulcanizing, riveting, andcombinations thereof. One embodiment presently preferred has a unibodyconstruction made by molding, injection molding, compression molding,extrusion or the like, using a rubbery material.

The device still functions as a ski boot sole protector, even without acomplete sole from front to back because the intermediate portion of theski boot sole is less prone to damage, tends to be higher off of theground than the ski boot toe and heel portions, and because thethickness of the traction aid sole will separate the ski boot soleintermediate portion from the ground surface in the area between thefront and rear soles.

The ski boot sole intermediate portion does not normally engage a skibinding in any case, so if were to become damaged it would not impactsafety or the interface and physical connection to the ski.

Metal or hard traction aids such as studs, nails, spikes or the like maybe used in alternative embodiments. Note that alternative embodimentshaving no metal/hard aids such as studs, spikes, nails or the likeprojecting from the bottom of the sole are preferred over otheralternative embodiments having such sharp traction aids, but both suchtypes of embodiments fall within the scope of the invention. The reasonfor this is that such relatively sharp fraction aids render the deviceless safe when carried in the interior pockets: it may rip the lining,or should a skier take a spill with the device in a pocket, the skiermay be injured by metal/hard traction aids poking through to the skin.Similarly, when the device is deployed around the ankle of a ski boot,hard projections like studs might present a threat to other skiers,especially in the event of a spill or wipeout. However, the alternativeembodiments may be preferable for increased traction on icier surfacesor packed snow surfaces.

In this embodiment, the construction of the device may be a unibodyconstruction in which the soles and the web of materials are allinjection molded from a material such as a durable rubber, a somewhatelastic form of polymer or the like, a single body of fabric withelastic properties or the like. It is anticipated that unibodyconstruction in which all soles and elastic rims, webs and so on are alla single piece will reduce manufacturing costs, making this aspect apreferred embodiment for this purpose.

It will be understood that embodiments may have a body or network orcords all having a stretched length, the stretched length sufficient toallow it to pass over the vertical thickness of ski boot soles at leastat the heel and/or toe and in alternative embodiments all the way aroundthe ski boot sole.

Large loop 1608 is located at the front or rear of one sole. Note thatthe large loop has an extension shaped like an arrow: item number 1610is an arrow shaped extension of material, not a reference arrow nor adirection of movement nor motion. The arrow shape of course is made upof an angled body portion having two barbs (1610 a for both) and a stemportion (1610 b).

The extension of the large projection has a tip portion at the end, thistip is pointed in the embodiment shown but can be other shapes.

Behind the tip of the extension is an angled body formed by two angledsides running from the tip to two barbs 1610 a. The barbs 1610 a extendfrom opposite sides of the angled body, and because of the barbs' widthbeing greater than the width of the rest of the large projection, thatis the stem portion 1610 b, the barbs 1610 a and stem 1610 b from a truearrow shape, not a mere triangle shape. This is especially noticeable aseach of barbs 1610 a also has a rear side where the barb width returnsto the width of the large projection step 1610 b, not meeting each otherin the middle (like a triangle would if the extension were a trianglewith no stem) so that the barbs are well and truly formed.

Arrow shaped fastener 1610 is dimensioned and configured to pass easilythrough small loop 1618 located at the opposite end of the device asshown in FIG. 17. The barbs 1610 a of the arrow shaped fastener 1610then engage the smaller loop and hold the device in a rolled upconfiguration. FIG. 16 is a left side view of a ski boot having thisembodiment of the invention thereon in the storage position, FIG. 17 isa right side view of a ski boot having the embodiment of the inventionthereon in the storage position.

When a skier gets to the top of a slope, they may easily remove thedevices from their boots and then wrap them around the upper part of theski boot as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, or around a body part such as anarm or the like. Arrow shaped extension 1610 will physically engage tosmall loop 1618 to hold the device in place, with the soles and bandswrapped snugly about the boot, leg or arm.

Arrow shaped fastener 1610 also serves an additional function as anindicia. In particular, the prior art known (such as the 6044578reference cited in the Background, similar products on the market and soon) all suffer from the deficiency of being somewhat androgynous ofappearance as to front and back, yet the difference between front andback is sufficient that most such devices will not fit nor work properlyif the user attempts to install them wrong way round. Since the typicalskier is cold, in the snow, wearing goggles and wrapped up against theelements, large indicia are called for. Having the large loop, with anarrow, pointing to one end of the device, greatly increases the skier'sability to sort it out quickly for wearing.

The disclosure is provided to allow practice of the invention by thoseskilled in the art without undue experimentation, including the bestmode presently contemplated and the presently preferred embodiment.Nothing in this disclosure is to be taken to limit the scope of theinvention, which is susceptible to numerous alterations, equivalents andsubstitutions without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. The scope of the invention is to be understood from theappended claims.

1. A ski boot traction aid for ski boots having large soles dimensionedand configured to accept a ski binding and thus having substantialprojections of the sole beyond the upper at the front end and rear endof the boot, the traction aid comprising: a stretchable body dimensionedand configured to exceed the size of such ski boot sole at least one endof the boot; a stretchable upper portion of the body dimensioned andconfigured to extend around such sole at the junction of such upper andlower sole, the elastic strong enough to hold the stretchable bodysecurely to such ski boot sole when the elastic is placed around suchsole at the junction of such upper and such sole; a large projectionattached to the traction aid, the projection large enough to allow easymanipulation by an individual wearing bulky ski gloves; a tread attachedto one side of the stretchable body, the tread being a material flexibleenough to roll up when not in use.
 2. A ski boot traction aid for skiboots having large soles dimensioned and configured to accept a skibinding and having substantial projections of the sole beyond the upperat the front and rear of the boot, the soles having a thickness and acircumference, the traction aid comprising: a first tread made of amaterial flexible enough to roll up, the first tread having a lowersurface, an upper surface and an edge; a second tread made of a materialflexible enough to roll up, the second tread having a lower surface, anupper surface and an edge; a plurality of attachments each having afirst end secured to the first tread and each having a second endsecured to the second tread; a first stretchable body attached securelyto the first tread, a second stretchable body attached securely to thesecond tread, the first and second stretchable bodies each having astretched length, the stretched lengths at least approximately equal tosuch thickness of such ski boot sole.
 3. The ski boot traction aid ofclaim 2, wherein the first tread and second tread further comprise:bottom surfaces having traction increasing apparatus thereon.
 4. The skiboot traction aid of claim 3, wherein the traction increasing apparatusfurther comprises: a plurality of irregularities.
 5. The ski boottraction aid of claim 2, further comprising: a large projection attachedto the traction aid at a first location, the projection large enough toallow easy manipulation by an individual wearing bulky ski gloves. 6.The ski boot traction aid of claim 5, further comprising: a fastenerattached to the traction aid at one member selected from the groupconsisting of: at the projection attached to the traction aid at thefirst location, at a second location distal the first location; thefastener dimensioned and configured to engage a distal location of thetraction aid when the traction aid is rolled up.
 7. The ski boottraction aid of claim 2 wherein the stretchable bodies further comprise:elastic.
 8. The ski boot traction aid of claim 2 wherein the stretchablebodies further comprise: rubber.
 9. A ski boot traction aid for skiboots having large soles dimensioned and configured to accept a skibinding and thus having substantial projections of the sole beyond theupper at the front and rear of the boot, the soles having a thicknessand a circumference, the traction aid comprising: a first tread having alower surface, an upper surface and an edge; and a network ofstretchable material securely attached to the first tread at a middleportion of the network, the network having a stretchable perimeterextending beyond the first tread by a distance at least approximatelyequal to such thickness of such ski boot soles, the perimeter having astretched circumference at least approximately equal to suchcircumference of such ski boot sole.
 10. The ski boot traction aid ofclaim 9, further comprising: a second tread having a lower surface, anupper surface and an edge; the second tread securely attached to thenetwork at a middle portion of the network.
 11. The ski boot tractionaid of claim 9, further comprising: a large projection attached to thetraction aid at a first location, the projection large enough to alloweasy manipulation by an individual wearing bulky ski gloves.
 12. The skiboot traction aid of claim 11, further comprising: a fastener attachedto the traction aid at a second location distal the first location, thefaster dimensioned and configured to engage such large projection whenthe traction aid is rolled up.
 13. The ski boot traction aid of claim 9,wherein the network further comprises: rubber.
 14. The ski boot tractionaid of claim 9, wherein the network further comprises: elastic.
 15. Theski boot traction aid of claim 9, wherein the lower surface furthercomprises: a plurality of crescent shaped elevations.
 16. The ski boottraction aid of claim 10, wherein the network, first tread and secondtread further comprise: a single unibody.
 17. A ski boot traction aidfor ski boots having large soles dimensioned and configured to accept aski binding and thus having substantial projections of the sole beyondthe upper at the front end and rear end of the boot, the traction aidcomprising: a stretchable body dimensioned and configured to exceed thesize of such ski boot sole at the front and rear ends of the boot; thebody having front and rear soles, the soles connected by at least threestretchable bands attached to both front and rear soles; a front lip ofthe body at a top end of a front projection of the front sole, the frontlip disposed at the top of such projection at the front end of the bootwhen the device is in use on the boot, the elastic strong enough to holdthe stretchable body securely to such ski boot sole; a rear lip of thebody at a top end of a rear projection of the rear sole, the rear lipdisposed at the top of such projection at the rear end of the boot whenthe device is in use on the boot, the elastic strong enough to hold thestretchable body securely to such ski boot sole; a large projectionattached to the traction aid at one end, the projection large enough toallow easy manipulation by an individual wearing bulky ski gloves; atread attached to at least one side of the soles, the tread being amaterial flexible enough to roll up when not in use.
 18. The ski boottraction aid of claim 17, wherein the front and rear soles furthercomprise: a plurality of irregularities on bottom surfaces to increasetraction.
 19. The ski boot traction aid of claim 17, further comprising:a large fastener portion of the large projection, the fastener portionhaving a thicker head and a thinner body; and a small loop disposed onthe end of the aid distal the large projection, the thicker head of thelarge projection, when passed through the small loop, holding the devicein a rolled up configuration.
 20. The ski boot traction aid of claim 19,the large fastener further comprising: an extension of the largeprojection having an end, the extension having a tip portion at the end,the extension having an angled body formed by two angled sides runningfrom the tip to two barbs, the barbs extending from opposite sides ofthe angled body, the width of the barbs being greater than the width ofthe large projection, each barb also having a rear side where the barbwidth returns to the width of the large projection.
 21. The ski boottraction aid of claim 17 wherein the stretchable bodies furthercomprise: elastic.
 22. The ski boot traction aid of claim 17 wherein thestretchable bodies further comprise: rubber.
 23. The ski boot tractionaid of claim 17, wherein the entire aid and all portions furthercomprise: a single unibody.